Turkmenistan: Andrey Zatoka says about illegal persecution by special services
Friends of Andrey Zatoka, the prominent environmental expert from Turkmenistan, addressed the letter to Ferghana.Ru, written in 2008 in expectation of possible arrest. It has to be noted that 53-year old activist was detained in the Turkmen city of Dashovuz on October 20 (his birthday).
In case of my arrest, accident or kidnapping I want this letter to be sent to Prosecutor-General Office of Turkmenistan, RF Embassy in Turkmenistan, OSCE representative office. Andrey Zatoka, June 20, 2008.
"I am Andrey Lvovich Zatoka, the citizen of Turkmenistan and Russia, and due to unknown reasons I am being chased by national security officers since April of 2008. I am still forbidden to leave the country. I suspect that soon I will become the target of another provocation or criminal prosecution. Moreover, law enforcement structures put psychological pressure on my friends.
I reported all mistaken conclusions of law enforcement bodies to interior affairs investigator, but he denied them all. My arrest produced sharp reaction of environmental organizations in many countries since I am well-known environmentalist and public figure of international level. Therefore, in my opinion, we have very alarming situation: national security service has significant influence on law enforcement and administrative structures and force them to commit crime. I believe this trend is very dangerous for the state since each citizen has no protection against lawlessness.
I urge you to pay careful consideration to the incident (the reason why you are reading this letter) and protect me and my friends from illegal persecution.
Andrey Zatoka".